American Museum of Fly Fishing to host festival

The American Museum of Fly Fishing will host its annual festival on Aug. 6.

Posted
Friday, July 22, 2016 4:40 am

Brattleboro Reformer

MANCHESTER &GT;&GT; The American Museum of Fly Fishing has announced that its 9th annual Fly Fishing Festival: A Taste of the Great Outdoors will take place on Aug. 6, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The museum's signature event of the summer is back showcasing the joy of fly fishing with demonstrations, local vendors, and a gathering of people who are all equally enthused about the sport.

This year, we are taking it a step further and also adding the celebration of local cuisine. Chefs, food trucks, farmers, and eating establishments, both local and from across the state of Vermont, will be in attendance, adding a fun element to an already exiting day. Participants include Pink Boot Farm Store, Tall Cat Coffee Roasters, Goodman's American Pie of Ludlow, and many others. Mad River Distillery will also be on hand providing tastings to those that are of the proper age to enjoy the Green Mountain State's finest bourbons and rums.

Representatives from the fly fishing industry will also have booths at the festival, including Douglas Outdoors, who will be holding a casting tournament on the Museum grounds and giving away a brand new Upstream fly rod to the winner. World class fly tiers Mike Rice of Mud Dog Saltwater Flies, Chris Samson and Brian Price of Vermont Fly Guys, Paul Sinicki, Kelly Bedford, Henry Hall, and Bill Sylvester will be demonstrating how to tie a wide variety of patterns from dry flies to saltwater patterns to big, flashy streamers for pike and muskie. Rhey Plumley will conduct a special demonstration on how to tie the official State Fly of Vermont, the Governor Aiken.

Author Catherine Varchaver will lead a presentation on two books written by her grandparents, legendary Battenkill fly anglers John and Maxine Atherton. Skyhorse has recently published a reprint of John's "The Fly and the Fish", one of fly fishing's most iconic texts, and a previously-unpublished book by Maxine called "The Fly Fisher and the River." Other presentations held throughout the day include rod building, casting, and demonstrations from local chefs on how to cook your catch.

There will be plenty of activities for children as well, including learning to create "clown flies"- a decorative fly tied with feathers and pipe cleaners that introduce children to the basics of fly tying. They will also have a chance to learn how to cast with volunteer Paul Sinicki and experience more fishing fun from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife's "Let's Go Fishing" program.

To cap off the entire event, there will also be live music courtesy of the Dear June band throughout the day. This talented quintet of Berklee trained musicians are making the Museum their first stop in the Green Mountain State.

The American Museum would like to thank local sponsors R.K. Miles, Mulligans, Finn & Stone Insurance, Vermont Kitchen Supply, and Mrs. Murphy's Donuts for contributing to the success of this event.

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